Getting to Bohol: Fly Into Panglao or Take the Ferry from Cebu
5 min read
If you are staying on Panglao – Alona Beach and the resorts around it – fly into Bohol-Panglao airport and book the airport transfer: from €12.54, 4.2 stars from 13 reviews, listed at 15 minutes to a Panglao hotel; check on the booking page whether the price is per person or per vehicle. If you are already in Cebu, take the fast ferry to Tagbilaran and book the onward transfer. If your hotel is inland or on the east coast, the private island-wide transfer below is the better booking.
The two routes
By air. Bohol-Panglao International Airport is on Panglao Island. The drive to Alona Beach is short; how long it takes depends on traffic and how far along the coast your resort is. The transfer listing quotes 15 minutes to a Panglao hotel, so the actual time depends on where yours is.
By sea from Cebu. Fast ferries run from Cebu City to Tagbilaran Port, with a crossing of roughly two hours; OceanJet is among the operators, and fares depend on class and operator. Schedules change, so check the current departures on the operator’s site. There is also a GetYourGuide listing, Ferry Ticket from Cebu City to Tagbilaran or Siquijor, from €22.12, with 4.5 stars from 2 reviews so far: an OceanJet ticket handed over by a local representative at Cebu Pier 1. The listing ends at Tagbilaran Port, where you continue independently, so you still need the road to your hotel.
Which one to choose
| Plane to Panglao | Ferry to Tagbilaran | |
|---|---|---|
| Time from the gate to Alona | a short drive (the transfer listing quotes 15 minutes to a Panglao hotel) | ferry about 2 hours, then the road to your hotel |
| Best for | beach stays, short trips | travellers already on Cebu, flexible schedules |
| Watch out for | flight availability | sailing times and weather |
Transfers once you are there
The airport transfer is the simplest booking for the standard Panglao arrival. If your stay is farther afield, Bohol Transfers between Panglao, Tagbilaran, Loboc, Anda and Jagna starts at €22.12, with 4.6 stars from 7 reviews.
Check dates and prices for the Bohol airport transfer
Getting around: car with driver or your own wheels
Most visitors do not self-drive; they book a tour or a driver. If you do want to drive yourself on Bohol, you can compare rental cars here. Check your licence requirements and the insurance terms (excess and CDW) on the rental page before you book. For one-off days, a private tour with a driver, such as the private classic tour from €34.29, can be simpler than driving – see our private tour guide.
When the ferry is a bad idea
A day trip from Cebu is a 14-hour day; if that is what you are weighing, read whether Bohol as a day trip from Cebu is worth it first.
Our recommendation
Staying on Panglao: fly in and pre-book the airport transfer. Coming from Cebu with time: the ferry, then a transfer. Staying in the east or inland: the private island-wide transfer.
